Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(38): "Ruling on a Gambling Game called "The Rocket Dollar"

Date Added : 18-12-2017

 

Resolution No.(38): "Ruling on a Gambling Game called "The Rocket Dollar"

Date: 6/5/1417 AH, corresponding to 19/9/1996

 

We have received the following question:

What is the ruling of Sharia concerning the gambling game called "The Rocket Dollar"?

Answer:

The Board reviewed the above game which has spread amongst a large number of people and after realizing its true nature and different dimensions, it decided the following:

It is a means of illegal gain and one form of gambling because it rests on risk and uncertainty. This is in addition to the fact that it leads to cutting down the flow of cash in society and driving it abroad; consequently, causing damage to the national economy. Allah, The Almighty, Has definitely Prohibited gambling. He Says (what means): "O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper." {Al-Mai`dah/90}. And Allah Knows Best.

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Deputized Grand Mufti of Jordan, Mufti of Jordan Armed Forces, Izuldeen At-Tamimi
Sheikh Sa`eid Hijjawi 
Sheikh Mahmoud Shewayat            
Dr. Fat-hi Al-Duraini
Dr. Mahmoud Al-Bakheet        
Dr. Omar Al-Ashkar
Dr. Mahmoud Assartawi       

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to divide one mudd of fidyah between two people?

No, it is not permissible to divide one mudd between two people, because it would not count as a full meal for either of them.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on obtaining financing from Islamic banks by bringing invoices in prior arrangement with the seller, then taking the cash after the financing is approved — with the purpose of settling debts and buying a car?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It appears from the transaction described that its underlying purpose is to obtain cash through resorting to a legal artifice (ḥīlah/tawarruq-style trick), and it is not permissible to engage in such trickery or to coordinate with the various parties merely to obtain liquidity. This is because such artifices bring the sale closer in reality to a ribā-based (usurious) transaction, even if it outwardly appears otherwise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not commit what the Jews committed, thereby making lawful what Allah has made unlawful through the flimsiest of tricks." This was related by Ibn Baṭṭah in his book Ibṭāl al-Ḥiyal (p. 47), and many scholars have graded it as ḥasan (sound/acceptable).
We have already explained the impermissibility of engaging in such deceptive dealings with Islamic banks in Fatwa No. 516, so please refer to it. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What should one do if they see a fasting person eating or drinking forgetfully during Ramadan?

If someone sees a fasting person in Ramadan eating or drinking forgetfully, they should gently remind them to stop. Although the forgetful person is neither sinful nor has their fast broken, their action outwardly appears as something impermissible. Therefore, we should kindly remind them to refrain.

Is it valid to perform the obligatory prayer while sitting?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Standing (Al-Qiyam) while having the ability to do so is one of the pillars (Arkan) of the prayer; the obligatory (Faridah) prayer is not valid without it. However, whoever is unable to stand may pray sitting down. As for voluntary (Nafilah) prayers, it is permissible to pray them sitting even if one is able to stand, but the one sitting receives half the reward of the one who prays standing. And Allah the Exalted knows best.